The Sunday NFL pregame quotage is starting to trickle in. We’ll begin with NFL Network’s notes and quotes from its two pregame show. And you can scroll for a while as you read what was said today.
News and Sound Bites From Week 16 Editions of FIRST ON THE FIELD & NFL GAMEDAY MORNING
“You’re starting to see a different Tony Romo: all of the plays but not the mistakes.” – Kurt Warner on Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo
“They have passed every single test this year.” – Michael Lombardi on the 13-2 Atlanta Falcons
“Mark Sanchez has played his last down as a starting quarterback for the New York Jets.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on Jets QB Mark Sanchez‘Sunday Sitdown – Redskins Head Coach Mike Shanahan with Melissa Stark
NFL Network’s Melissa Stark sat down with Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan this morning on First on the Field and NFL GameDay Morning to discuss rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III, the Redskins’ push to the playoffs and the reaction his comments following their loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 9.
On if he has ever been around a player like Robert Griffin III:
“I haven’t. I haven’t been around anybody like him. He’s really an interesting guy, very mature. He’s an extremely hard worker and to do what he’s been able to do this year has been quite impressive. You always want a franchise quarterback and everybody sees what he brings to the table. Not only can he throw the football, he can run with the football. He was selected captain by his teammates – that’s more impressive than anything. I’ve never been around a guy that has been elected captain as a rookie. That just shows you what his teammates think of him.”On if his comments following the Week 9 loss to the Carolina Panthers was a public challenge to his team:
“No. It was just what I talk to the players all about: you’re being evaluated every day on how you come to work, how you prepare. We have one goal at the beginning of the year – our goal hasn’t changed. Our backs are against the wall and we’ll see how people respond.”On people taking his comments as if the team was giving up on the season:
“No, I think one person wrote the article one way and then once it comes out that way, then everybody spins it. Instead of asking me exactly what I meant by it, somebody wrote what I meant by it.”On if his comments were a motivating tool:
“It really wasn’t at that time because you challenge people. But the motivation for our football team is we were 3-6 and we had lost a few tight games. What we had to do was get over that hump, and I think we have.”On Robert Griffin III making it clear that he wasn’t happy with the decision to not play last week:
“That’s great. You want your players to react that way, but you obviously have to see the big picture, understand that it might jeopardize his career.”On if he is grooming his son, Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, to be a head coach:
“I told him not to come here, I really did. There are going to be some growing pains and he wanted to come anyhow, so I was impressed with that. I want him to be successful – he will be successful because I’ve watched him work. As a father, you’re always hoping that someone can do it by themselves.”To view the entire interview with Shanahan, visit:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115129/Shanahan-RG3-is-simply-quite-impressive
Quotes from First on the Field
Every Sunday morning at 7:00 AM ET, NFL Network is First on the Field with Melissa Stark, LaDainian Tomlinson, Sterling Sharpe and Michael Lombardi providing the first analysis of the day’s games.
– “They have passed every single test this year. They have been able to play well and win on the road – something they weren’t very good at last season. They have been able to win convincingly and they are still very good at home. When Matt Ryan is throwing the ball like he did against the Lions, this is a dangerous football team.” – Michael Lombardi on if the Atlanta Falcons are the best team in the NFC
– “If Atlanta can improve their run defense – allow around 100 yards a game – they will be New Orleans-bound.” – Sterling Sharpe on the key to the Atlanta Falcons making it to the Super Bowl
– “Last weekend, Kyle Shanahan proved he can coach rookie quarterbacks and that puts him in prime position for some of these openings that will occur soon for head coaching jobs. If Kyle Shanahan were to get a head coaching job and if he likes Kirk Cousins, he could make a trade for him. His dad [Mike Shanahan] certainly would help him out.” – Michael Lombardi on Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan
– “The Giants have been so inconsistent. I’m still waiting for that sense of urgency.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on the New York Giants’ recent struggles
– “The only way the Texans leave the playoffs early is if their secondary lets them down. If they can shut down receivers, I like the Houston Texans versus the Atlanta Falcons in the Super Bowl.” – Sterling Sharpe on the key to the Houston Texans making a deep run in the playoffs
Quotes from NFL GameDay Morning
NFL GameDay Morning is the most comprehensive pregame show on Sunday morning, airing at 9:00 AM ET on NFL Network and taking viewers straight up to kickoff. Host Rich Eisen joins analysts Steve Mariucci, Marshall Faulk, Kurt Warner, Warren Sapp and Michael Irvin to bring fans the latest news, injury reports, pregame analysis and game previews.
– “I don’t believe so. Mark Sanchez has played his last down as a starting quarterback for the New York Jets…I see kind of a Chad Henne situation with Mark Sanchez where he goes somewhere and becomes a backup. If that starting quarterback gets hurt, then Mark Sanchez may have another opportunity to start that way.” – LaDainian Tomlinson on if New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez can still be a starting quarterback
– “It’s Tony Romo making those plays but it’s not Tony Romo making that bonehead play that became synonymous with Tony Romo in big moments…You’re starting to see a different Tony Romo: all of the plays but not the mistakes.” – Kurt Warner on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo
– “He’s interjected life into this defense. They understand if we can give him more possessions, those will turn into points.” – Marshall Faulk on Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III
– “They are so unique in what they do from an offensive perspective that it changes everything for a defense…They create all kinds of matchup problems because of what they do, and even though they may not have the greatest skill, I believe they can compete one week at a time against anybody in the league.” – Kurt Warner on the Washington Redskins
– “The Pittsburgh Steelers, they seem to always make the right decision, and when they make the wrong one they fix it quickly. But this is a situation I believe is going to fester.” – Marshall Faulk on the relationship between Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and offensive coordinator Todd Haley
– “If you are a team that bases yourself on being tough and playing defense, you can’t be 26th in the league [in total defense]…This defense, that’s their identity. They have to play better.” – Marshall Faulk on the Baltimore Ravens
Front Office View with Michael Lombardi
On if quarterback Mark Sanchez is finished playing in New York with the Jets:
“There are 8.25 million to not be done – the contract is completely guaranteed for injury, skill and salary cap – and that really makes him untradeable. They’re going to have to get somebody to take him off their hands and then take some of the contract; I’m sure the Jets are still going to have to pay. But the bigger issue here is the Jets are really in some cap trouble. They are $20 million over the cap going into next season alone and a lot of that money comes from the starters on their team. This is going to be a difficult challenge: how to solve the Mark Sanchez riddle, but also how to solve their salary cap problems.”On the Jets quarterback situation in 2013:
“There are a lot of reasons for it to be [Mark Sanchez] because of the cap and because they’re not going to have the flexibility to go out on the market and sign someone else to come in. They’ll have a high draft pick. Can they get one in the draft? That remains to be seen whether there is somebody worthy that can come in. But they’re going to have to massage this around Mark Sanchez and see what they can do understanding that the team has lost confidence in Sanchez as much as Rex Ryan has.”On if Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum will return:
“Woody Johnson has to ask himself this question: does he believe the team is headed in the right direction? Does he believe the team can solve the problems that the team has created? When Woody Johnson comes up with that answer, then it leads to the question of the general manager of the team and does he want the current staff to rebuild the team in the vein that they have. This team basically took a two-year plan last offseason to rebuild their team to make their run. Remember, Rex Ryan called this the most talented Jet team he’s ever had this summer. That remains to be seen – we know that’s not true now. This is going to take some undoing, this is going to take a lot of creative work to rebuild it. This cap is really in a lot of trouble.”On NFL.com the following video clips from First on the Field & NFL GameDay Morning are available for viewing:
Tomlinson, Faulk Look at Minnesota Vikings Running Back Adrian Peterson’s Dash to Rushing Record – LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshall Faulk whether or not they believe Minnesota Vikings running Adrian Peterson will reach Eric Dickerson’s rushing record:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115128/Tomlinson-Faulk-look-at-Peterson-s-dash-to-rushing-recordNew York Jets Quarterback Mark Sanchez’s Trade Value? – Michael Lombardi examines the trade value of New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez after being benched this week:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115127/Mark-Sanchez-s-trade-valueEither/Or – Michael Lombardi and LaDainian Tomlinson debate which teams will come out on top in each playoff race and who will walk away from the 2012 season with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115126/First-on-the-Field-Either-OrWeek 16 Bold Predictions – Take a look at what each member of the NFL GameDay Morning crew’s bold prediction is for Week 16 of the regular season:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115134/Week-16-Bold-PredictionsMegatron Talks About Breaking Jerry Rice’s Record – Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson joins Rich Eisen and Michael Irvin to talk about breaking Jerry Rice’s record:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115135/Megatron-after-breaking-Rice-s-record‘State Your Case’: NFL MVP – Each member of the NFL GameDay Morning crew states their case for a different league MVP:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115132/State-Your-Case-NFL-MVPDallas Cowboys Quarterback Tony Romo Controlling his Alter Ego? – Has Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo finally got it together to make a playoff run? NFL GameDay Morning breaks down whether you should believe in Romo or not:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115137/Romo-controlling-his-alter-egoDetroit Lions Wide Receiver Calvin Johnson Breaks Jerry Rice’s Record – The NFL GameDay Morning crew reacts to Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson breaking Jerry Rice’s single-season receiving yards record:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115130/Johnson-breaks-Rice-s-record-NFL-GameDay-Morning-reactsWho are They? – Who are the Bears and Ravens? NFL GameDay Morning reflects on Dennis Green’s infamous press conference and try to figure out the real identity of the Bears, Ravens and more:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115139/Who-are-theyBaltimore Ravens’ Bigger Problem: Offense or Defense? – Kurt Warner and Marshall Faulk debate which aspect of the Baltimore Ravens is the bigger concern and what they can do to turn things around:
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115131/Baltimore-Ravens-bigger-problem-Offense-or-defenseBaltimore Ravens Linebacker Jameel McClain, Salvation Army Join Forces to Feed Families in Need – Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jameel McClain is making his presence known on the field, but it is what he is doing off of the field that is truly important: http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-gameday/0ap2000000115133/Ravens-McClain-Salvation-Army-join-forces-to-feed-families-in-need
More quotage is on the way. Keep it here.
